SMALL ACT, BIG CHANGE: Juliette Becke Foundation Supports 1,500 Pupils, Students Ahead of New School Year

By Kevin Ako Agbor 

CEO of Juliette Becke Foundation (L),  talking to the Media

As families across Cameroon prepare for the new academic year, the Juliette Becke Foundation (JUBEF) has launched a back-to-school support initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on vulnerable families and giving children the basic materials they need to return to school with confidence.

The initiative, held in the Bonavada Court area, brought together administrative authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, partners and beneficiaries. More than 1,500 pupils and students drawn from 13 villages have benefited from the programme, which provides essential school supplies including exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and school bags which took place on Wednesday August 26, 2026.

Speaking at the occasion, JUBEF founder Juliette Becke expressed joy, humility and gratitude over the turnout and the opportunity to contribute to the education and welfare of children in less privileged communities. She said the initiative was founded on a simple conviction: no child should be discouraged from pursuing education because his or her family cannot afford basic school materials.

Chief of Upper Bokova Village, HRM. Evanje Abel Nyoki handing back to school to a kid

According to her, the back-to-school period can place considerable financial pressure on parents, particularly those with several school-going children. A school bag, exercise book or writing material may appear small, she noted, but such items can have a significant impact on a child's educational journey.

“Small acts, big change” therefore serves as both the slogan and philosophy of the initiative. Becke stressed that a child receiving a school bag today could become a doctor, teacher, engineer, lawyer, entrepreneur, administrator or community leader tomorrow.

She also acknowledged the role of government in promoting education and improving living conditions, while emphasizing that government alone cannot address every community challenge. JUBEF, she said, seeks to complement government efforts through practical interventions that touch individual lives and strengthen communities.

Representing the Governor of the South West Region, Mr. Nkem Nfong Desire, Regional Inspector in charge of Deconcentrated Technical Services at the South West Governor's Office in Buea, conveyed the Governor's warm greetings to participants. The Governor was reportedly absent because of other official duties.

Mr. Nfong commended JUBEF for focusing its attention on grassroots communities and described the collaboration between philanthropy, community leaders and local coordinators as evidence that building a brighter future is a shared responsibility. He stressed that education remains one of the greatest equalizers and that ensuring children have the tools necessary to succeed is a responsibility shared by all.

HRM Abel Evanjo Nyoki equally praised Juliette Becke and the foundation for what he described as a significant sacrifice towards community development. He urged the foundation not to stop its interventions, encouraging its members and partners to continue supporting children and communities without expecting material rewards.

He reminded beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials received and encouraged them to remain focused on their education. He cautioned pupils and students against drug abuse, social delinquency, bad company and other behaviours that could derail their ambitions.

HRM Nyoki also called on young people to maintain open communication with their parents and guardians. He urged children to report any suspicious approach or encounter with strangers, whether on their way to or from school. Parents, he added, have a crucial role to play by creating a safe and welcoming environment in which children can discuss sensitive experiences without fear.

The inaugural intervention in Bonavada is expected to be followed by similar activities in other communities across Fako Division. JUBEF says its broader objective is to reach more children from low-income and less privileged homes as the academic year begins.

For the beneficiaries, the gesture represents more than the distribution of school supplies. It is a reminder that their education matters and that their communities believe in their potential.

The initiative demonstrates how modest acts of generosity can produce lasting social impact. By helping children return to school better equipped, JUBEF and its partners are investing not only in the academic year ahead but also in the future of families, communities and the nation.

Small acts may appear insignificant, but when multiplied through collective goodwill, they can indeed become big change.

It should be noted that, apart from the back-to-school materials that were donated to the over 1,500 pupils and students ranging from nursery to primary to secondary and through to high school, BIAKA University played a role as the leading nursing institution in BOEA through a free HIV screening test, blood group, hepatitis, which were run freely to ascertain the status of the young students who were of the age 11 to 25.